It’s been a rocky few
years for hotels, and California has not been spared from its own tales of woe.
New hotel development dipped, and a usually robust pipeline of development plans
paused to a mere trickle during the pandemic. However, the economically
resilient and “always on” city of Los Angeles did not seem to miss a beat.
Los Angeles welcomed 49.1 million visitors in 2023 — 97 percent of which
recovered from 2019's record-setting performance, which saw 43.3 million domestic visitors (100 percent recovered to 2019 levels)
and 5.8 million
international visitors (nearly
79 percent recovered to 2019).
Looking toward the 2028
Olympics, cranes and bulldozers are cranking through 24-hour schedules to build
new hotel towers, complete subway tunnels, and finish an ambitious airport
expansion scheme at LAX on time and, well, within some kind of budget.
"Visitation to Los Angeles is the highest we've seen since 2019, and
the city is alive with unmissable events and shows," said Bill Karz,
Senior Vice President of brand and digital Marketing at Los Angeles Tourism, in
a statement. With LA set to host hundreds of sporting events, concerts, and
festivals this year and beyond, now is the time.”
To play in LA means to
stay in LA. The following is a roundup of what’s new and what’s coming in chic
accommodations for those planning to spend time in La-La Land, whether
beachside or in the glitz.
Hollywood. (Photo Credit: LA Tourism)
New Hotels in Los Angeles
Burton House Hotel Beverly Hills: Opened in May 2024, this 186-suite Marriott tribute brand
property pays homage to Beverly Hills' rich history while embracing a certain contemporary
panache. Travelers heading to Los Angeles will find it to be a welcoming island
of calm in a hectic city, enjoying its upscale residential neighborhood
location near the fashion and romance of Beverly Hills. Accommodations provide ample
sleeping and living areas (with sofa
beds), 55-inch TVs, cute kitchenettes, coffee/tea service, walk-in showers and
large vanities. An indoor-outdoor restaurant serving
Mediterranean cuisine with a Southern California twist adds to the allure,
as does early morning yoga offered most days. However, the long-standing deli
across the street adds a dollop of LA tradition and a gratuitous sense of
place.
Cambria Hotel Burbank Airport: Conveniently located near Hollywood Burbank Airport, this new
addition to the Choice Hotels Cambria brand offers modern
amenities, meeting spaces, and a relaxed atmosphere, ideal for
business and leisure travelers who want to avoid the traffic at LAX and have
access to the film studios and theme parks that populate North Hollywood.
KODO Hotel in the Downtown Arts
District: This boutique hotel, housed
in a century-old firehouse, seamlessly blends Japanese and American
influences for a unique cultural guest experience in the heart of the Arts
District. Rooms create a quintessentially Japanese effect with large loft-style
spaces and minimalist appointments, creating a lodging experience like none
other in Los Angeles.
The Olivia Hotel, Westwood: Set to open sometime this summer or early fall, this upscale
boutique hotel near UCLA combines modern chic and nature-inspired tranquility.
A casual café, indoor and outdoor lounging spaces, and contemporary room
designs with bookshelves and desk conveniences give the new hotel a California
laid-back charm. Its westside location near Westwood Village and UCLA provides
added purpose and appeal.
Los Angeles palm trees. (Photo Credit: LA Tourism)
Regent Santa Monica: Many travelers will recognize the location and bones of this
property as the former Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel that helped launch the
beach city’s first hotel boom in the 1990s. However, with a $150 million mega
renovation and transformation into the 5-star
Regent Santa Monica Beach, guests will find spacious oceanfront accommodations
(from 700 square feet) stemming from a room count reduced from 347 to 200. The
new property promises all the panache one would expect with a Regent rebranding.
Regent Santa Monica, part of the IHG group, targets an opening date in
September 2024.
Sandbourne Santa Monica: This oceanfront gem in the Marriott Autograph Collection opened in May
in what was formerly the Hotel Merigo on Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica. The 175-room coastal
retreat shows the design talents of acclaimed Icelandic architect Gulla
Jónsdóttir (Auberge resort in Los Cabos, Le Grand restaurant in Paris, Palmilla in Newport Beach and Esperanza in Manhattan Beach). It emphasizes
engaging all five senses. Find a harmonious blend of natural textures,
sculptural elements, indoor and outdoor vibes, and Earth tones throughout. Guests
are invited to participate in a signature activity here -- Ceramics by the Pool:
a 45-minute pinch pot clay class taught by a local ceramics artist. More
touches to come: an expansive dog park, a honeybee farm, a revamped pool deck
with cabanas and ocean views, and a full-service spa.
Los Angeles: The Pipeline
The momentum in Los Angeles' hotel industry shows no signs of slowing
down. With ambitious projects like Mama Shelter Downtown Los Angeles (to
open in 2026), the North Hollywood Hotel, Aman Beverly Hills (2027) and
the 43-room boutique hotel, Venice Place (2026), on the horizon, the city
is not waiting for its close-up. Cameras are already rolling.
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